Mumbai's favourite whiskeys boycotted

Today 8,000 eateries, bars will join 550 wine shops to ban two top Vijay Mallya brands

Whiskey lovers will be unable to raise that toast with a McDowell's or Bagpiper for a while.

You won't be served these UB Group brands, as more than 8,000 bars under the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) will join 550 wine shops under the Maharashtra Wine Merchant Association (MWMA) in the city in their boycott on them from today.

These brands, which are the fastest-moving UB products, have been boycotted because of the disparity in the deal that UB has given to bars and wine shops (see box).
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"Wine shops in other parts of the state have also joined us. But UB is not ready to negotiate," said Freddy N Ginwala, president, MWMA.
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Narayan Alva, president of AHAR, said, "We too were victims of such exploitation, but after we protested, things changed.

We'll support wine shops, as our business goes hand-in-hand. If UB continues to be unfair, we will be forced to boycott its entire range."

UB spokesperson Prakash Mirpuri said, "This is utter rubbish. I will call you in some time." He didn't respond to calls or messages later.

The Issue

Earlier, UB used to give both eateries and wine shops a credit permit of 21 days and 2% cash discount if paid within the same period.

But they slashed it to a credit permit of seven days with no cash discount. Though UB resumed its previous deal with bars and eateries, nothing changed for the wine shops.